Kyriad Lyon Perrache, Lyon

Advantages: getting aroung the city
Disadvantages: too much to see in a weekend

...I can't believe Lyon is not promoted more in the UK! We had the task of picking up a relative from the train station (Lyon Perrache) and so we decided to make a weekend of it. And what a weekend! The shopping, for a start is formidable, from the huge mall at Lyon Part Dieu to the small shops and department stores in the city. However, the buildings, architecture and sights of the city are quite something else. The massive squares in the city have to be the best in Europe. My favourite is in front of the Hotel de Ville. The building is magnificent and the square has decorative fountains and a huge fountain with four horses depicting the four great rivers of France. Adjacent to the hotel de ville is the Museum des Beaux arts with some very impressive pieces. This is just a short walk from the Opera House and also the old part of Lyon... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Wonderful city
Disadvantages: Pollution

...-Dieu area, or even if not, you will probably spend a decent amount of time here. Other areas in Lyon though are for example, 'Vieux Lyon' or 'Perrache'. Your best bet is to use something like Expedia to research hotels that fit your price range and then see what area they are in then. However, I would recommend staying either around the Perrache area or Part-Dieu. Duration of stay I would personally say that a stay of 3 or 4 days would suffice to see the vast majority of Lyon. I went from Tuesday to Friday and I managed to do everything I wanted to in that time. However, you could just as easy spend a good week there; particularly if you plan on taking the train to a couple of places nearby (which I will come to later). Things to see Although as would be expected, Lyon doesn't offer beauty on the scale of Paris, nevertheless... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: History, culture and good food
Disadvantages: Industrial backdrop

...Lyon has long suffered being the second largest city in France, continuously having to compete with the illustrious Paris. Be warned, first impressions of Lyon are not to be trusted - the abundance of factories, (the chemical corridor,) the long, intertwined motorways full of traffic and the overbearing greyness of the buildings - give yourself a chance to discover the real heart of this city. The 'Old Town' lies in the centre of the city, and here you will find winding, narrow streets leading you to a splendid collection of Rennaissance buildings - long since demolished in other parts of France. The landscape is really impressive, for those of you who know Paris, imagine St Germain with the terrain of Montmartre. To the west there is a stunning Gallo-Roman theatre overlooking the Saone, the city also boasts an opera house built in 1831... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful